Communist Party: Low turnout is sign of deep crisis of Russian electoral system

Oct 15 2012

RBTH

Interfax

The Russian electoral system is in deep crisis, which was proved by the low turnout for the October 14 regional elections, Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov told a press conference at Interfax on Monday.

"We believe the Russian electoral system is in serious crisis, and this crisis is continuing to deepen," he said.

The turnout did not exceed 25% in a number of regions, he said. "The turnout of 15-20% or 25% at best in the overwhelming majority of regions is the proof," he said.

The attitude of United Russia candidates to electoral debates is another sign of the crisis, Zyuganov said. "Some 70-80 of 100 candidates refused to take part in the dirty election campaign, which was held without candidate debates and in which ruling party candidates hid from other party candidates behind administrative barriers," he said.